Bexley

Bexley's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure, marriage and religion.

The population passed 230,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Bexley increased by 6.3%, from about 218,000 to 232,000.

The addition of almost 14,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Bexley was home to, on average, 27 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Bexley

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Bexley increased by two years, from 37 to 39 years.

This suburban area had the third-highest average age in London and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 5,800 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 6,000.

About 15% of people in Bexley are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Bexley by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Bexley

Bexley saw London's largest rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just under 1 in 25 (3.8%) in Bexley reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.9% in 2001. The percentage who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 6.9% to 6.4%.

Across the region, Harrow saw the next largest increase in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 2.9% in 2001 to 3.7% in 2011).

During this period, Bexley overtook six local authority areas, including Newham and Redbridge, to become the London local authority area with the third-highest percentage of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across London

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Bexley that rented privately increased from 6.4% to 11% in the decade to 2011.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 14%, while the percentage of Bexley households that owned their home decreased from 78% to 73%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of London (from 15% in 2001 to 25% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Bexley increased by 5 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bexley, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

Bexley saw London's second-largest fall in the proportion of married people.

In 2011, just under one in two (48%) people aged 16 and over in Bexley said they were married, compared with 53% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single increased from 29% to 34%.

Across the region, only Havering saw a greater fall in the proportion of married people (from 55% to 49%).

The proportion of married people was higher than across London

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Bexley residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.5% to 4.8% between the last two censuses.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (83%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 70% in 2001. The percentage of Bexley residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 8.3% in 2001 to 5.0% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Bexley decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Bexley, London and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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